Birth plans & hospital info in Canada

AmieL · 10-01-2003, 08:33 PM

Canadian Cysters,

I have been reading with interest how our US cysters have been writing birth plans and talking about want/don't wants when the get to the hospital to deliver. Do we do this sort of thing in Canada? I have never heard of anyone doing this.

I wondered if maybe becuase we have public health care? I don't know. This is my first pregnancy, so maybe I am just naive, I don't know, so who better than to ask but cysters.

If it helps, I will be delivering at the Grey Nuns in Edmonton. I know lots of people who have had good experinces.

Thanks!

Amie

AmieL · 10-02-2003, 05:17 PM

Just thought I would give this a little bump.

Vaughn · 10-02-2003, 11:16 PM

I haven't had any kids yet but I know that my closest friend had a birth plan with what she did and didn't want. They talked about it in her prenatal course.

You might want to call your local health unit and inquire.

Vaughn

AmieL · 10-02-2003, 11:22 PM

Thanks Vaughn,

We haven't started our prenatal class yet, so maybe I am jumping the gun. Hmm...I will have to put that on my list of questions for class.

Amie

Vaughn · 10-02-2003, 11:50 PM

Where are you planning on giving birth? Who's your doctor?

Inquiring minds want to know

AmieL · 10-03-2003, 12:38 PM

I will be delivering at the Grey Nuns. That is where were we are doing our prenatal too.

My doctor is Dr. Knight. Early on we made a decision to stay with her, she is our GP. She delivers babies, which is quite rare. Both DH and I have been seeing her for about 6 years, so we thought, what the heck. I am not sure about that decision now, but it's a little to late to change. Luckily, I have had my cysters on this site to bounce things off of and I have been fairly detailed at asking questions.

There...long answer to a short question

If you don't mind me asking, how are you doing? You can PM me if you don't want to post here. It's been good to see you around again. I was thinking we should take a stab at getting a group back together sometime.

Amie

Vaughn · 10-03-2003, 02:38 PM

Is you doctor Dr. Mary Knight? The reason I ask is that is my doctor and was just wondering what you thought of her. I don't think it is though because I don't think they deliver anymore at her practice.

I'm doing okay these days. I see Dr. Sagle every few months and if we don't get pregnant on our own this month or next we are going to try IUI. The anniversary of my miscarriage is coming up so I do hope I can get pregnant by then. It is Rememberance days of all things. Has taken on a whole new meaning for me.

The Grey Nuns is supposed to be a great place to deliver. I'm sure I will be at the Alex if I ever get pregnant just because its so close but the Grey Nuns is much nicer and newer.

I would like to get together with a group of us. I'm really busy these days, (as I'm sure you are too

) but we could try and set something up. Maybe meet in a restaurant??

Vaughn

AmieL · 10-03-2003, 03:14 PM

Yes, it is Dr. Mary Knight! She is ok.

I have had to be my own health advocate with her (and demand my referal to Dr. Sagle), but now that she realized how educated I am on PCOS she seems more helpful. She has been great with DH, I think it's becuase he is a medical professional (Occupational Therapist), so he understands 'lingo'. She can be a bit of a pill pusher, but I don't give in to her every wim, neither of us do. Other than that, she has good bed-side mannor and has quite a relaxed style.

What do you think? Maybe I expect to much?

They still deliver babies (at least she does).

Unfortunately I haven't heard to many good things about delivering at the Alex. If you end up there some day I hope your experience is better.

I was thinking your m/c anniversary is coming up. I haven't been through that, but I'm sure it is a difficult time for you.

I would love to get together some time. Resturant sounds good. Hmmm...we will have to make a plan.

Amie

grab-ya · 10-03-2003, 03:44 PM

I delievered at the Grey Nun's and had a wonderful experience.
I had a birth plan. One of the visits I had with my OB we sat down and discussed it, and he put it all in my chart. What I wanted, and didn't want, if that was practical, or even possible, and it worked out wonderfully!!
One thing I recommend is the tub, if you can get in there and Labour in there for a while, it's a real life saver. Mind you if you have meds, then you really don't need to worry about that. Talk to your Dr. You never know what might come of it.
Hope that helps.
Amy

AmieL · 10-03-2003, 09:05 PM

Thanks Amy,

That helps, I was just so unsure! A friend told me she printed off a bunch of questions at BabiesRus.com and just wrote her answers down.

I was thinking the tub would be nice. We have a hot tub at home, so I know how nice they can be!

Amie

kwannabee · 11-02-2003, 02:05 PM

I can just say from experience thats its a good idea to look into stuff now while you can just for your own peice of mind! I went into preterm labor 4 years ago with my son and i ended up at emergency thinking i had a bowel obstruction...i was 7 cm dialated and no one had a clue what was going on!! After the baby was born and taken away to go to the special care nursery i was put into a room with 3 other mothers who had their babies beside them all night, cooing and crying and keeping me awake and although i had nothing against it it was hard knowing my baby was fighting for his life...i just felt like i was stuck somewhere because nothing had been preplanned...which is no ones fault but boy was it hard to live through!!! I didnt find out til later my insureance covered a semi private room!!! I had to send my hubby to buy me underwear and he came back with bikinis...i didnt even have a bag packed!!!

Men!!
And now i'm expecting TWINS!!! I'm definately going to be better prepared this time...and by golly I'm bringing my own stash of undies!!
Good luck and have fun playing diva for a bit...the worst they can do with your list of demands is laugh and tell you to keep dreaming...